However, the next moment her eyes widened suddenly, and she felt a faint fragrance coming towards her, as if something warm and soft pecked her lips.
"On this trip back to Wayne...be careful."
Hitzfeld's face turned red, but he still insisted on keeping serious.
"If the situation in Wayne is as serious as you speculate, even Villefort may not be able to protect himself from this trend... If something really happens, remember to go to the library and ask for help from Year Ring, even if you really don't like her."
"Also, here is a secret I promised you..."
"Don't say—"
Xia Yibing suddenly pressed her finger on the girl's lips and firmly stopped her from speaking.
“I feel like I’m in a dream now…”
"So... in order to keep this feeling for me for a little longer, we can keep this secret until the next time we meet and discuss it in detail..."
"What do you think, Hitzfeld?"
The two looked at each other, and they could see the emotions flashing in each other's eyes.
"Casimir calls me 'Aisun'."
Hitzfeld bit his lip and tried his best to suppress his heartbeat.
"You still call me... 'Hitzfeld'?"
Too bold.
She felt sorry for her behavior in her heart.
She didn't even know if this was right...
"Then Aisuen..."
The next moment, she felt herself being hugged again.
"Or Aini."
Chapter 9 Taboo
Hitzfeld didn't know whether he should be grateful for the unexpected fall, and the special atmosphere of embarrassment created by the fall.
But she felt that if it weren't for this incident, she would not allow the relationship between them to advance to this extent.
After all - agreeing is one thing, but being cautious about this matter deeply rooted in her bones is another.
Xia Yibing seemed very happy, and she had her reasons. Not everyone can experience the experience of finally getting what they want after thinking about it day and night. Her jubilant look almost made Hitzfeld think that she began to respect the goddess from the bottom of her heart.
But Hitzfeld still couldn't let go.
She felt that this advancement was a bit too much, so she did not allow the woman to further place her hands on certain parts of her body, nor did she allow the kiss she asked for.
"You should go," she said, although she was actually reluctant in her heart, and even wished she would just ignore the new case and go back to Wayne with the other party.
But after all, she had promised Jerry that she had to take on the responsibility of a detective.
And Asfen said that at the end of the previous case, several groups of people wanted to kidnap her or even assassinate her.
Her identity was different from that of a woman, and some people would be very reckless when they started fighting. Moreover, her strength was still too weak compared to that of a "human". If she rashly followed him back in this situation, she was afraid that she would become a burden to the other party.
Standing on the steps and watching Xia Yibing get into the car, Hitzfeld kept staring at the car as it drove around the corner.
She was melancholy for a while, then returned to her room to do the final check.
The place they were going to this time was in the southwest, and the climate was definitely much more comfortable than that in Wayne, so they didn't need to bring any bulky and heavy clothes. So she picked out a few small coats with fluffy linings that could be worn over her skirt.
That place is close to water and surrounded by mountains and forests, so the mosquito problem might be more serious. She dug out a few bottles of insect repellent perfume, wrapped them in the socks Xia Yibing gave her, and then wrapped them with clothes.
The rest of the problems were much simpler... books, notes, a fountain pen that was easy to use, a Langnick revolver that was now a regular on her leg ring, six boxes of bullets, a holster, pillowcases, pillowcases, quilt covers and sheets... Throw all these things in, and her preparations were complete.
It doesn’t matter if there are any other missing items. As long as you bring enough money, you can probably buy them locally.
When it was almost 3 ., she went to call Darent to leave together.
"You have to listen to Mrs. Morrison when I'm not around." Hitzfeld was straightening Ashley's collar.
Because of the height difference between them, Ashley stood at the bottom of the stairs to fiddle with her. Darent thought this scene was very interesting, but with Mrs. Morrison present, he said nothing.
"When will Heath come back?" Ashley looked at Hitzfeld eagerly.
"It's hard to say." Hitzfeld thought about it and found it difficult to give her a definite answer.
There were many suspicious points in this case, and it didn't seem like a simple missing person case. She could only say that she would try to find out everything as soon as possible and come back to see her, and she also made an appointment with her to take her to the capital to play after she came back.
"Are you planning to keep her like this forever?"
On the way to the station, Darent couldn't help asking her, "Neighbors in our area know what's going on with her...but people farther away are not so optimistic. You may not know how some people are secretly criticizing you."
For a single woman, suddenly bringing a child - even if the child seems a little too strong - to live in the house seems inappropriate in every way.
Darent had experienced that kind of feeling for quite some time, and he knew the taste of gossip very well. If Hitzfeld hadn't moved in with Xia Yibing when he came back to live in Flo Street, he would have been too embarrassed to stay there.
He would disappear silently to prevent his presence from making the impact worse.
Hitzfeld didn't understand what he meant at first, but he soon realized it.
Indeed, she had to admit that this aspect was a bit ill-considered.
But it didn't matter - it didn't matter, she didn't care about it herself.
This kind of reputation is very troublesome for a girl who plans to get married and have children, but she has no need in this regard. Let people say whatever they want, as long as it does not affect her daily life.
She expressed her meaning cryptically and carefully omitted the unusual relationship with a female detective.
But - if Darent still can't react now, that is to say, he may not necessarily understand why the relationship between the two is sometimes good and sometimes bad, but he must know exactly what happened between the two - then he is not qualified to call himself an agent.
Darent always speaks directly: "Have you ever thought about the consequences of getting along with her like this?"
"...What do you mean?" This time Hitzfeld didn't understand.
What are the consequences of this kind of thing?
Wait... he wasn't talking about Ashley this time? He was talking about... Xia?
"Although everything we see now is peaceful and tranquil, this is, after all, a country shrouded in gray fog and coveted at all times..."
Darent concentrated on driving, but he kept talking: "For a country like this, population is extremely important. In some remote areas, the parish even prohibits the development of special relationships between same-sex people."
"You mean we might be labeled as rebels?"
"Do you think this is alarmist?"
"No."
The atmosphere in the car was somewhat silent.
Hitzfeld was surprised at first, but she soon realized it made sense.
A country like Sara... a country with almost no control over the wilderness and suburbs, and can only rely on stone slabs to survive in settlements, really cannot be that open.
This kind of thing is often criticized in modern times, not to mention that there is evil oppression here and so many people are devout to their faith.
"But it shouldn't be that serious?"
After thinking for a while, she looked at Darent.
"I've read the teachings of the Xieyang Cult, and they are generally very relaxed... There is no prohibition of communication in this regard, so the possibility you mentioned is from the parish itself or--"
"It's from the people who run the parish." Darent gave a direct answer.
"It's the kind of old antiques you see in any comfortable place. They might resist."
"But I don't care."
Hitzfeld narrowed his right eye.
"I also don't believe that they have nothing to do and watch what others do every day."
There is nothing wrong with respecting the background of the times and social trends. She has thought it through. At worst, their relationship can just be carried out in secret.
"You can do that, but Agent Xiasha is a formal employee." Darent shook his head. "The entire Shadow Lion is owned by His Majesty, and she is almost old enough..."
"Do they also engage in internal marriages?"
"It's not that ridiculous... It's not completely mandatory. For example, if he wants to refuse at Villefort's level, he can just say 'My body and soul belong to Wayne, to Your Majesty' and get rid of the trouble."
"As for you guys, if no one is watching you or targeting you, then it won't be a big problem for you to do whatever you want."
"but……"
Darent didn't say the second half of the sentence, as he believed the girl could understand its meaning.
Because they have indeed been targeted.
Technically Hitzfeld.
She was the one being targeted.
So it is because of my existence that Xia is implicated... and that is why she will face those difficulties later on?
Thinking of the reluctant look in the woman's eyes when she looked back at her at the last moment, the girl felt very uncomfortable.
The atmosphere fell silent again.
"Don't worry too much."
Darent tried to remedy the silence, "We do dangerous work... but we still have some privileges."
"If nothing else, 'maybe it could cause a mental illness that could lead to nightmares getting out of control' is a good excuse that will only offend a few assholes."
"……really."
After thinking for a while, Hitzfeld nodded in agreement with him, which was rare.
"Thank you for your reminder, Maps, but this matter is not a big deal in my opinion."
"I'll read for a while. Call me when we get to the station."
Chapter 10: Resin Line 3
When I saw Ethan, he looked very depressed.
"I guess you haven't slept for at least two days and two nights." Hitzfeld looked at the man in front of him in amazement.
He was wearing a somewhat tattered brown coat, a dark green vest and a white shirt underneath, a tie and a felt hat, which was no different from his normal attire most of the time.
But he looked very tired, with obvious dark circles under his eyes, deep eye bags, bloodshot whites of his eyes, and pus-filled blisters (which had been deliberately broken) at the junction of his lips, nasolabial folds and the sides of his nose due to staying up late, and he didn't even clean the stubble on his chin.
"No, it's almost three days and three nights!" Ethan said hoarsely, chewing hard on the bay leaves he had just bought on the previous bus.
The leaves have no effect on cleaning the mouth, but chewing them produces a strong, minty smell that can help to refresh the mind and mask less severe bad breath.
Ethan needed this thing because he hadn't taken care of his hygiene for three days... and he didn't want to lose his composure in front of Hitzfeld.
"She didn't tell me you were exaggerating like that when she described the situation to me." Hitzfeld approached him with some concern, "Can you make it in this state?"
She felt that Ethan was at least five years older than he was last year... She didn't really need him to get involved in this case, and it would be bad if he died from overwork.
"It should be fine." Ethan took out his pocket watch and took a look. "In fact, this is relaxing for me... For example, I was finally able to get a good night's sleep on the train coming here. So even though I'm not in good shape now, it's actually much better than when I was in Xinze."
Hitzfeld thought about where they were going this time and felt that Ethan was right.
It is said that the scenery in Green Town is particularly beautiful and is perfect for a relaxing vacation. It is better for Ethan to go there than to stay in Xinze Parish to help.
"How is Nan Xinze doing?"
After meeting up with Ethan, who knew Darent and needed no introduction, the three of them started walking towards the ticket window for Line 1 of Resin, chatting as they walked.
Leixin Company could only and dared to arrange Line 1 at this location. Jie Li said that she would buy tickets here and wait for them. They would take Leixin Line 1 to the central city, and then change to Line 3 to Green Town.
"Not very good." Ethan shook his head. "The disaster seems to have subsided, but there are still many troubles left... Especially the problem of Pondich has caused a thorough investigation of the administrative personnel of the entire Xinze Parish. During this period, the government work there has been completely paralyzed."
"The most annoying thing here is... In fact, no one expected those parasites to do anything practical. When Panditch was in power, a lot of work was actually thrown to the dioceses of North and South Xinze to complete. Just like the Blackwood before."
"But you also know what's going on with Xinze now. Even Feka Jones is in trouble. Naturally, they dare not issue any more tasks to them before they have investigated the situation of the entire diocese."
"So all this work, all this backlog of work, falls on you?"
Darent smacked his lips as he listened.
"Tsk! Tsk! I'm so glad I don't work for humans."
Hitzfeld also felt a little emotional... She had always been wondering what Ethan and the other Shadow Lion agents could do there, but now she knew that her guess was completely wrong - she should ask if there was anything else they didn't need to help with.
